New Fire Recruits Sworn In; Two Firefighters Promoted to Captain

The West Orange Fire Department welcomed to its ranks Tuesday afternoon. The newest fire recruits were sworn in after completing eight weeks of training at the Essex County Fire Academy in Cedar Grove.

"I am very pleased to have them in this department," Fire Chief Peter Smeraldo said during the swearing-in ceremony at township hall.

The municipal chamber was packed with friends and family members, leaving standing room only. 

The recruits were called one by one to the front of the room where they lined up, placed their white gloved hands on each other's shoulders as they were jointly sworn in by Mayor Robert Parisi.

Chris Ameli, 30, Nick Gillo, 26, Kevin Dean, 32, James Turco, 37, Joe DeLuise, 27 and Bill Kelly, 24, are all West Orange residents.

The recruits just completed eight weeks of fire training at the academy and received "nothing but accolades from the county" said Smeraldo. He said the recruits need to complete 120 hours of EMT training and will begin working in the department early next year.

Two firefighters were also promoted to the rank of captain. Smeraldo said the two captains are filling positions vacated by two retirements in October.

Capt. Robert Ryan began as a firefighter with the West Orange Fire Department in 1997. Capt. George Hesse joined in 2001 after serving as a police officer in Orange for seven years.

"These days we are faced with all kinds of trials and scrutiny. These individuals, they are up for the challenges," Smeraldo said.